Beyond the Family Ties

Part 26

She'd stayed at the dingy bar until her stomach was filled with the fiery warmth of the whisky, knocking back six doubles, one after the other as she stared down at the grimy wooden bartop, until the bartender had refused to serve her anymore and she'd been gently turned out into the night. It was pitch black by that point, rain splashing off the sidewalk and her legs trembled beneath her weight as she ducked into the alleyway beside the building fell back against the exposed brick, tilting her head up to the rain and letting it wash over her face, running down her face in rivulets as her breath misted slightly before her. Breathing in the cool air, she closed her eyes and listened to the sound of drunk people shouting as they spilled out of bars and clubs, and her own heart pounding loudly in her chest.

It was a little while before midnight, and she hadn't had anywhere else to go. All of her friends would be asleep, her daughter was tucked up safely in bed at Sam's house, and the only person she wanted to see had just hurled every one of her insecurities in her face and tore her heart to shreds. Nausea twisted her stomach, and she turned, bracing herself against the wet wall and vomited against the base of the wall. Bile burned its way up her throat, and she coughed as she wiped her mouth with a shaky hand. What she really needed was another drink, and seeing as she wasn't likely to get served anywhere else, not soaking wet, unkempt and reeking of liquor and vomit, she'd have to find someone to get it from. She was angry too, and she wanted to vent that anger.

There was one place she knew she could get alcohol and an outlet for that anger, and pushing off the dirty wall of the bar, she lurched out into the street and set off on an ambling path through the city. She knew the address, and the area of the city the hotel was in, but it was still some sort of miracle when she found herself standing outside the front doors of the hotel, yellow light spilling out of the lobby as she swayed slightly on her feet. It had stopped raining halfway to the hotel, and the brisk air had sobered her up slightly, or at least enough to think through the fog that clouded her mind, and she took a deep breath outside and walked in.

The lobby was mostly empty, but she noticed a few guards around and made her way towards the elevator. Ducking her head down to look less recognisable, she slipped past the man in the black suit standing near the doors and walked in after an older couple, waiting for them to swipe their room key before she pressed the floor for the penthouse. They stood to one side as they ascended, and Becky could feel their eyes on her, taking in her appearance with disdain. It was a nice hotel, one of the best in the city, and the people who usually stayed there were a little more upper class than Becky looked in that moment. She was antsy, shivering from the cold and smelling of alcohol, and she was glad when they reached the couple's floor, halfway up.

Ascending the rest of the way in peace, she stared at her bedraggled appearance in the mirror, taking in the sunken eyes, the hair plastered to her scalp, and the glassy look and rosy cheeks that alcohol had given her. She was a mess, even more so than she'd been after Jack had been shot, or so it felt, and she scowled as she reached the penthouse, anger brewing inside her as she thought about the welcome she'd get.

There were more agents outside the door, one on either side, and one of them started towards her, a hand resting on the sidearm at her waist. Giving her a trembling smile, Becky pulled her badge out and flashed it, wiping a hand over her face as she tried to muster the confidence to bluff her way past the guards. The badge should've been enough - she was a fellow agent, and they both knew her, upon realisation that it was her - but there had been no advance warning of her showing up there, so they might've been a little bit wary, especially given the lateness of the hour. The woman shared a look with the man behind her, and Becky quickly assured them she just wanted to talk. After all, she did have the clearance for it, and she'd spent hours interrogating her mother over the phone, so face to face would make no difference. They'd be listening anyway.